After 20 years, El Paso's Magic Pan restaurant closes its doors

Magic Pan's owner Annette Lawrence has closed her restaurant after more than 20 years.
(Times file photo)

One of El Paso's better known restaurants, the Magic Pan, closed its doors Saturday night.

The eatery catered to Westsiders and business people on Doniphan Drive for more than 20 years.

Owner Annette Lawrence said it was time to step back and enjoy life.

"I am tired," Lawrence said. "So many restaurants have opened in El Paso in the last two years. Business had slowed down. It was just smarter to go ahead and close."

The Magic Pan is the third iconic restaurant to close in El Paso in the last few months. In October, Cappetto's Italian Restaurant, which had operated for 56 years, and Jaxon's Restaurants & Brewing Co., an almost 40-year El Paso institution, went out of business.

Magic Pan had a serene dining patio. (Times file photo)

Lawrence won't have time to mourn Magic Pan's demise. She is now back working at Stallion Boot & Belt Co. in South-Central El Paso, which is owned by her ex-husband, Pedro Muñoz Jr.

"I used to manufacture boots many years ago," she said. "Its fun to work there. I have normal hours. I like working with all the different skins and leather."

Lawrence opened Magic Pan, 5034 Doniphan, in 1993. The eatery featured steaks, fish, pastas, sandwiches, numerous salads and her famous muffins that came with each meal. The restaurant would transform itself from a venue for salads and sandwiches at lunch to a fine dining establishment.

People could sit out in the restaurant's soothing patio and enjoy a meal. The restaurant was often the place to celebrate engagements, anniversaries, graduations and marriages, she said.

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In 2010, she opened her second restaurant at the former Casa Jurado site at 226 Cincinnati Ave. in Kern Place, but closed it last year.

Lawrence has sold all the furniture and fixtures, but kept the name. She said the buyer will open up another eatery in three weeks, but doesn't know what style the new restaurant will be.

The new restaurant owner also has agreed to hire all 20 of Lawrence's employees, she said.